Method for multiple track time line display with document links

Abstract

A computer software method for multiple track time line display with document links by accessing digital information, where the digital information includes an information track. The digital information is displayed by juxtaposing at least two views of the information track on a display. Each view of the information track is separately scrolled and a hotspot on the at least one information track allows navigation by activating the hotspot, where the hotspot links to digital information related to the information track.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A computer software method for multiple track time line display with document links comprising the steps of: 
 accessing digital information, where the digital information includes at least one information track;    displaying the digital information by juxtaposing at least two views of the at least one information track on a display;    independently scrolling at least one view of the at least one information track; and    providing at least one hotspot on the at least one information track to allow navigation by activating the at least one hotspot, where the at least one hotspot links to digital information related to the at least one information track.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of displaying the related digital information when a hotspot to the related information is activated.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of scrolling one or both views of at least one information track to juxtapose differing views of the same information track for comparison.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the at least one information track comprises images including medical strips that contain patient information on a time line.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one information track comprises images including medical strips that contain patient information on a time line.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the at least one information track comprises hotspots to documents that relate to activity recorded on the at least one information track temporally related to a time marked by the hotspot.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one information track comprises hotspots to documents that have information about activity recorded on the at least one information track near a time marked by the hotspot.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one information track comprises a graphical user interface to digital information.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the graphical user interface to digital information further comprises a library track including a library track graphical representation of a library that allows users to activate hotspots to digital information.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the graphical user interface to digital information further comprises a document track including a document track graphical interface to digital information along a timeline.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the document track further comprises images and hotspots to digital information allowing scrolling along the document track to access digital information.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of displaying an explorer display window over existing screen content.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the explorer display window further comprises a combination of tabs and scroll bars to access and display digital information, tracks, hotspots and/or overlays.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of activating a multi-track mode for simultaneously viewing and interacting with a plurality of information tracks of various types.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of synchronizing and/or lock the movement of a plurality of information tracks when using the multi-track mode.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of varying scrolling speed of the at least one information track.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of keyword searching to access predefined portions of the at least one information track.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of toggling the presence of hotspots on and off.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of opening an display window for grouping hotspots to like information in a menu or table of contents fashion, and for viewing digital information.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the explorer display window includes tabs for combining functions.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein a tab can host digital information, hotspots, tracks and overlays.  
     
     
         22 . A computer software method for multiple track time line display with document links comprising the steps of: 
 scanning and coding documents into digital information;    accessing the digital information, where the digital information includes at least one information track;    displaying the digital information by juxtaposing at least two views of the at least one information track on a display;    independently scrolling at least one view of the at least one information track; and    providing at least one hotspot on the at least one information track to allow navigation by activating the at least one hotspot, where the at least one hotspot links to digital information related to the at least one information track.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  where the step of scanning and coding documents into digital information further comprises the steps of: 
 scanning at least one document to create scanned images;  
 saving the scanned images as scanned bitmap images;  
 importing and saving the scanned bitmap images into pixel bitmaps;  
 importing the pixel bitmaps contiguously into separate memory spaces; and  
 sequentially calling the pixel bitmaps.